Riding in the rain.

[900classic]

My Brother and I will be riding to Vegas this weekend. It will be 320 miles there and 400(more scenic route) back. I checked the weather report and it looks like there is going to be rain where we'll be riding. He is from Florida and rides in the rain all the time but I live in the desert and have been able to avoid it. Besides wearing rain gear and taking everything a little slow and more cautiously is there anything that I should be aware of? Any recommendations that you guys might have?

[0okami]

Ride in the tracks of cars leave behind.

Avoid the center of the lane for the first part of the rain as the oil left behind from cars will float up and cause the road to be a little more slippery than slippery.

Thats about all else I can add, (i've never ride in the rain before but according to msf docs i've read, those two tips mentioned should be quite valid. )

[ZugZwang]

Yes..... It seems to me that right when it first starts to rain the road has the least grip!

[THRILLA]

stay off the paint

[900classic]

Great advise guys. I'm sure that the paint does get slick. I've felt my rear tire slip on it from just the morning dew. I'll also try to stay in the track of a car and watch out for the oily center.

[Flash]

Same goes for those tar patches and strips used to seal road cracks

[B3ancounter]

If you have an open element air cleaner you should get a raincover for it.

[fidgit]

just take it slow, give yourself more room to slow down and stop and if you feel uncomfortable, just take a break. Its always easier to wait it out than deal with a wreck. Good luck and have fun!

[The Vulcaniser]

you only need to look after yourself...... the rain won't bother the bike any. I sometimes spray the zips on my gear with dry silicone spray.... helps keep the water out.

[insolentminx]

take a snorkle, waterwings and flippers... just in case

everything else has been said. ... oh take extra care when using the front brake in and around corners. Ideally leave a 10 second gap between you and the vehicle in front, but if unavoidable, leave it at least 5 seconds. Not only will it reduce the spray on your visor, but it'll give you the extra stopping distance you need in the wet.

[Sick Tom]

A windshield is nice in the rain.

[artz]

the watershed will bring out the oils from the tar and whatever cars leave deposited on the pavement. Slow down, be more aware of your surroundings.
And what I have found most importantly, if you wear glasses, they always seem to fog up. There are ways to prevent that, also doing so the moisture build up will run off on the inside of the glasses (don't forget to treat the outside of the glass too) so you can continue to see clearly and without streaks.

[Scrambler81]

Be careful putting your foot down at lights and stops. There's often buildup there, and your foot can just slide right out from under you.

[Hoyett]

Originally Posted by Scrambler81

Be careful putting your foot down at lights and stops. There's often buildup there, and your foot can just slide right out from under you.

This is my biggest concern while riding in the rain...


Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic...

[dhelfritz]

I live in Fl. and ride in the rain a lot. I find that the heavier the bike, the less problem you have with rain. Just take it easy, Ride normaly and relax--give yourself some more distance to other vehichles and apply brakes more gently. You will get the feel for it in no time.

[c_law23]

I know during my first ride in the rain i could not believe how bad the brakes were...I know its been said but it seems like a pretty important point to me.

[Uthor]

Has it rained in Vegas recently? If not, I would be very, very careful for the first hour or two while all the built up dirt and oil gets washed away. Slick sand doesn't sound like fun. I've also heard of flash floods that happen in deserts when the rain doesn't get soaked up by the soil, but that's just hearsay on my part.

[odinseye]

some of the best info I have found on riding in rain or bad road conditions... I took advise from both these articles and it's done wonders for ability and confidence.

OpenRoadJourney: Let It Rain - Riding Motorcycles When It's Wet

OpenRoadJourney: Riding Motorcycles on Gravel: Find the Real Road Less Traveled.

If you don't see any rain in the near future before your trip, I would suggest finding a dirt or gravel road to work out some of the advise before your trip. Doing this when you have the time can take the stress out of trying to work it all out on the road during the trip and around traffic. IMHO it's most important to be relaxed and confident when road conditions go bad. Good luck, and remember it's not as bad as it can be made out to be.

[900classic]

We'll both have a windshield and ff helmets. Great advise everyone. Thanks

[vegas56]

Be aware that the roads in Vegas during & after a rain are extremely slick. Even a long heavy rain isn't enough to wash all the oil away. Flash floods can also be a problem. Standing water on the road is best avoided - you can't tell how deep it is. Just take it easy & enjoy the ride, the weatherman here is usually wrong anyway. Good luck.